Seldom do we come across a band that not only plays soulful music but also stands up for important social issues. Bengaluru-based folk/fusion band Swarathma encapsulates this rare blend, as their fourth studio album, Raushan, expresses a state of liberation and a sensation of feeling light within.
This time around, the band has taken a different approach with its latest album by deciding to release each song individually. This strategic move allows them to dedicate time to refine each track amidst their busy tour schedule. “There is no running theme to this album, so each song has its own thing going on. It’s interesting even for us because we don’t know how the next one is going to turn out,” remarked Varun Murali.
One of the standout tracks, ‘Bas,’ serves as a commentary on the state of the country and the world at large, reflecting how the band chooses to respond to such global issues. “I’ve heard a couple of my friends interpret it quite differently, and that’s actually great. So, I would love to hear how people interpret it,” added Varun.
Following the release of ‘Bas,’ the next track on the list is ‘Aiyanar Kudurai,’ which tells the story of a horse’s journey. This marks the band’s inaugural attempt at a Tamil song, featuring a collaboration with Anthony Dasan, a renowned folk/fusion artist from Tamil Nadu. While the song is currently undergoing its final mixing and mastering phases, the band has already started performing it live to gauge audience feedback. “We enjoy such collaborations as they bring forth fresh ideas and styles that sometimes contrast beautifully with our own,” said Sanjeev Nayak.
Swarathma’s innovation isn’t limited to their music. In their eco-tours—a series of performances aimed at raising environmental awareness—the band has used solar and clean energy to power their key concert systems. This unique initiative spans multiple cities, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, and Lucknow. The project emerged from a collaboration with SELCO Foundation, an organization committed to making renewable energy accessible to communities. “In the course of composing a song for them, we came up with the wild idea of powering a 1,000-person concert with renewable energy,” recalled Jishnu Dasgupta.
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What started as an ambitious idea quickly materialized into SUNNY, a 100KVA clean energy system that accompanies the band on their eight-city concert tour. With SUNNY, the sound, visuals, and sometimes even the lights of the show are fully powered by solar or clean energy, effectively eliminating the need for standard diesel generators that are typically used at concerts. “We hope to set a new standard for environmentally-conscious entertainment and promote the adoption of sustainable practices within the music industry. This idea resonates with the kind of music we make, and it has been heartening to see the response from audiences and organizers alike,” Jishnu added.
In another unique initiative dubbed the ‘Tour of Trees,’ Swarathma has partnered with various groups engaged in the preservation of urban green spaces. The band recently ventured into Cubbon Park in Bengaluru for an acoustic jam session aimed at raising awareness about the importance of retaining the city’s green cover. “On the appointed day, we move from tree to tree performing acoustic versions of our songs for the trees as well as tree lovers. The announcements go like ‘9.00 am: Peepal Tree,’ ‘9.30 am: Banyan Tree,’ etc. It’s a humorous take on the concert tour format, but with a purpose,” explained Jishnu.
“As artistes, we tend to be open and vulnerable to things happening around us. We are blessed to have music as a means of expressing and healing; whatever affects us gets an outlet in the form of music,” said Vasu Dixit.
Swarathma’s music has historically transcended mere entertainment, addressing critical social issues ranging from child sexual abuse, urbanization, and even a satire on politics in everyday life. “Music is a great way to communicate and start a conversation about difficult things. We know that it might not be an answer to everything, but it definitely helps build bridges in our hearts,” Vasu concluded.
The band continues to push the envelope not just musically but also socially, as they foster an environment of consciousness and creativity. Their endeavors inspire both fans and fellow musicians to think beyond traditional confines, blending art with activism in ways that resonate on a deeply personal level.
